Start your sightseeing with a birds-eye view of the entire city.  Climb the lovely, flower-draped stairway to the top of Santa Lucia Hill , located in the heart of the city.  Follow lovely garden paths that offer several scenic spots for sweeping views of the city below.  There is also an art museum, fountains, statues and a chapel located on top of the hill.

You can easily spend a full day at San Cristobal Hill.   Visitors take the aerial tram (called the teleferico ), which makes several stops along the way – each stop is certainly worth a visit!  Visit the Metropolitan Zoo , walk around beautiful gardens, walk leafy paths or take a dip in one of two hilltop swimming pools.  Along with magnificent views, the restaurant at the top presents folkloric performances most evenings.

Most of the activity of the city takes place in and around the main square, Plaza de Armas .  The focal point is the magnificent bronze Liberty of America monument, a tribute to the city’s founder, Pedro de Valdivia.  Other important buildings and structures surround the busy square including the National Historical Museum and the Bishop’s Palace .

Santiago’s largest public park is O’Higgins Park , another popular stop. Among its attractions are El Pueblito (Little Town), which resembles a typical Chilean country village with its small streets, shops and museums; and Fantasilandia , an amusement park with family rides and two water parks.

One of the most important historic and religious sites in the city is the 16th-century Iglesia de San Francisco , the city’s oldest church.  An art museum is maintained inside that houses some of the most exquisite paintings from the School of Cuzco.